Toggle sidebar

Prospect Info: 2021 2nd Rd Pick (#57 OA) - Matthew Knies (LW) - Tri-City (USHL)

  • Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates
francis246 said:
As long as he doesn’t play 10 games. So they may have to be strategic. BUT if he makes our team better for the playoffs i don’t care. Burn that ELC. We have to stop over analyzing things and worrying about contract this and contract that. Play whoever gives us the best chance to win a cup. If Knies starts going crazy let him go crazy and don’t worry about the burning of an ELC year
Click to expand...

If he doesn't pan out the ELC burn doesn't matter, if he does pan out the ELC burn gets us negotiating with him a year earlier. Could be the difference between negotiating off a 20-30 point season vs a 40-50 point season the next year.
 
The guy is an amazing prospect to have (I consider him untouchable) but he's not going to immediately be a top six NHLer.

He's 19 and it hasn't even been two years since he's been drafted in the 2nd round. Even if signed don't expect him to play during any postseason games
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimmy Firecracker, Leaf Rocket and kb
I hope the rumored trade does not impact our ability to sign him. Worst case scenario he and his agent are pissed off and remains unsigned through his college career.
 
If nothing else is working, they can try him on the 2nd line.

The Leafs have two "third lines" right now due to the team's depth. Since the Mikheyev-Kampf-Engvall line is taking defensive matchups, the other line gets everything else.

Something like Knies - Spezza - Kase or Knies - Spezza - Blackwell. I'm sure there are other variations that can be used.

No need to ruin one of the best lines in hockey by removing Bunting. Sure, Matthews and Marner can handle it, but that line is fire. The 2nd line is already playing below its potential you can't ruin the first line too.

They need to rotate through Kerfoot, Blackwell, and Knies to see which one clicks on that 2nd line.
 
Martin Skoula said:
If he doesn't pan out the ELC burn doesn't matter, if he does pan out the ELC burn gets us negotiating with him a year earlier. Could be the difference between negotiating off a 20-30 point season vs a 40-50 point season the next year.
Click to expand...

I’m not worried, the leafs have him under control until the age of 26 or 7 pro seasons played. I don’t think the Matthews/Marner scenario will ever happen again. The leafs will make use of their leverage.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Menzinger
I don't at all expect him to jump in and be a force on a top 2 line but also remember what people said when posters were penciling Bunting into the top 6?

Crazy things can happen.
 
kb said:
His skating looks pretty explosive to me. I kept hearing his skating might hold him back.
Click to expand...
It's been dispelled since he was drafted. He had limited exposure due people actually having to pay to watch besides the odd game on a streaming website. Not to mention when one guy says "bad skating" you just know everyone jumps on the bandwagon.

His stride is definitely weird though. It's a bit choppy and it takes him a bit of time to get up to his full speed, but its not gonna hold him back like it was previously assumed. I havent seen it be a problem at all and Ive seen him play probably 15 times this year in the NCAA, Olympics, and WJC.
 
  • Like
Reactions: leafsfan2point0, kb and stickty111
Morgs said:
It's been dispelled since he was drafted. He had limited exposure due people actually having to pay to watch besides the odd game on a streaming website. Not to mention when one guy says "bad skating" you just know everyone jumps on the bandwagon.

His stride is definitely weird though. It's a bit choppy and it takes him a bit of time to get up to his full speed, but its not gonna hold him back like it was previously assumed. I havent seen it be a problem at all and Ive seen him play probably 15 times this year in the NCAA, Olympics, and WJC.
Click to expand...
He skates similar to Auston and unsurprisingly both of them grew up with the same skating coaches in Arizona. Knies to me moves the same way and protects the puck/goes into board battles/strips players of pucks in a very similar manner to Matthews. Both guys really know how to use their bodies and skate in a manner that puts them in a great position to play the puck at all times. Super agile skaters. Neither Auston nor Knies look like they are speed demons but when they get going they pick up speed quickly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: supermann_98 and Morgs
Isaac Nootin said:
Forget 2 years, it hasn't even been 8 months.
Click to expand...
I don't expect him to, but we did the same thing with Robertson. But, out of Dubas's pick as GM this is by far the pick I was highest on at the moment it was made. But, another year at Minnesota wouldn't be a bad thing, and if he plays one regular season game he'll burn a year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Menzinger
nobody said:
He skates similar to Auston and unsurprisingly both of them grew up with the same skating coaches in Arizona. Knies to me moves the same way and protects the puck/goes into board battles/strips players of pucks in a very similar manner to Matthews. Both guys really know how to use their bodies and skate in a manner that puts them in a great position to play the puck at all times. Super agile skaters. Neither Auston nor Knies look like they are speed demons but when they get going they pick up speed quickly.
Click to expand...

I think that weird Ukrainian guy is based out of Arizona - Boris something. He does some pretty wacked drills that lead to some odd looking but powerful strides.
 
Shak19 said:
I hope the rumored trade does not impact our ability to sign him. Worst case scenario he and his agent are pissed off and remains unsigned through his college career.
Click to expand...
Multiple teams asked about him. That's a feather in his agent's cap, not cause to be offended.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kb
Martin Skoula said:
If he doesn't pan out the ELC burn doesn't matter, if he does pan out the ELC burn gets us negotiating with him a year earlier. Could be the difference between negotiating off a 20-30 point season vs a 40-50 point season the next year.
Click to expand...
Goal is Stanley's cup. Not negotiating 2 yrs from now. 54 and counting.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 57 Years No Cup
Love the way this kid plays, he will be a very valuable top 6 winger for years to come.

I would like to see Willy traded for a proper defenseman next season or the season after, when Knies has made his talent known.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Top Bottom